RICHARD FOSTER said hello to his little friend as he thanked the Rangers supporter who abused him at an evening with Al Pacino for his role in helping Stuart McCall's side establish a 2-0 first-leg play-off lead over Hibernian.

Foster, who delivered an assist for Nicky Clark's first-half strike, revealed how the fan made a "nice" comment to him while he was out with his girlfriend seeing the Scarface actor address an audience at Glasgow's Clyde Auditorium on Tuesday night.

The former Aberdeen player admitted he did not always enjoy being criticised but said the experienced "spurred him on" ahead of last night's encounter at Ibrox.

"I was out the other night seeing Al Pacino and got a "nice" comment from a fan," said Foster. "I won't divulge what he said but it was a passing comment. Maybe he was feeling a bit gallus as he was there with his mates and I was standing there with my girlfriend. So I hope he was watching tonight and enjoyed the game. That's what comes from playing for Rangers.

"Criticism is never nice but sometimes it spurs you on and gives you that determination to prove everyone wrong. I'm not great at reacting to criticism and sometimes react in the wrong way. But if you take a step back and think about it maybe it's just a fan's frustration because he wants to get the best out of a player. I don't agree with it at times but that's the role of being a player at times - you just have to take it on the chin."

McCall repeatedly warned the tie was "only at the halfway stage" but praised his players for digging out a victory and keeping Hibs at bay.

"We were gritty, determined, and had to defend well," said the Rangers manager. "Listen, Hibs showed what a good, good side they are tonight. You could tell in the last 25 minutes who had been on the beach for a few days and who had been playing hard football because our energy levels dropped. Three minutes before half-time, I was probably thinking that 0-0 wouldn't be a bad result because Hibs showed at times what a good footballing team they are.

"We stuck in there and had to defend some outstanding set-plays from Scott Allan. We scored two really good goals. So to come away with a 2-0, naturally I'm delighted. There is still a lot of hard work to go, we know that. But I think the players deserve enormous credit. It's only half-time, but they have turned themselves around and turned themselves into a unit. Tonight we weren't brilliant. But football can be won many, many ways and tonight was sheer guts and determination."

Despite the loss, his opposite number Alan Stubbs was not overly despondent ahead of the return at Easter Road on Saturday.

"I've got plenty of confidence that we can turn this around," he said. "The players believe it's not over. They're disappointed because they know they were in the game. Rangers scored at important times, give them credit for that. I felt we deserved something, in that we should have scored in the game. But we'll see what happens Saturday.

"I thought we played our part in the game to have come out with something. But, in the end, for our chances, we didn't work the keeper enough. We got into good areas, maybe rushed it a bit at times. I can't fault the way my players played. They were right in the tie and Rangers just took their chances when they came. We didn't hit the target."